Tag: Steelers

Top 10 Positional Rankings: Defense

by Barb Layton

So, with training camp looming in the horizon, I am going to give my first rankings on defense. Once the season begins, I will be doing one every week.

Yesterday I posted the top 10 positional groups rankings on offense. So today is the defense turn. Let’s get started

Edge Rushers

  1. T.J. Watt, Steelers
  2. Micah Parsons, Cowboys
  3. Myles Garrett, Browns
  4. Maxx Crosby, Raiders
  5. Khalil Mack, Chargers
  6. Joey Bosa, Chargers
  7. Nick Bosa, 49ers
  8. Brian Burns, Panthers
  9. Chase Young, Commanders
  10. Rashan Gary, Packers

Interior Defensive Line

  1. Aaron Donald, Rams
  2. Cam Heyward, Steelers
  3. DeForest Buckner, Colts
  4. Chris Jones, Chiefs
  5. Grady Jarrett, Falcons
  6. Vita Vea, Buccaneers
  7. Kenny Clark, Packers
  8. Jonathan Allen, Commanders
  9. Leonard Williams, Giants
  10. Jeffrey Simmons, Titans

Linebackers

  1. Fred Warner, 49ers
  2. Darius Leonard, Colts
  3. Eric Kendricks, Vikings
  4. Demario Davis, Saints
  5. Lavonte David, Buccaneers
  6. De’vondre Campbell, Packers
  7. Bobby Wagner, Rams
  8. Matt Milano, Bills
  9. Alexander Johnson, Broncos
  10. Zach Cunningham, Titans

Safeties

  1. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers
  2. Marcus Williams, Ravens
  3. Jessie Bates, Bengals
  4. Kevin Byard, Titans
  5. Jordan Whitehead, Jets
  6. Budda Baker, Cardinals
  7. Derwin James, Chargers
  8. Micah Hyde, Bills
  9. Adrian Amos, Packers
  10. Tyrann Mathieu, Saints

Slot Corners

  1. Kenny Moore, Colts
  2. Jonathan Jones, Patriots
  3. Mike Hilton, Bengals
  4. Taron Johnson, Bills
  5. Chancey Gardner-Johnson, Saints
  6. Bryce Callahan, Chargers
  7. Troy Hill, Rams
  8. Avonte Maddox, Eagles
  9. Nate Hobbs, Raiders
  10. Tavierre Thomas, Texans

Outside Corners

  1. Jalen Ramsey, Rams
  2. Jaire Alexander, Packers
  3. J.C. Jackson, Chargers
  4. Marshon Lattimore, Saints
  5. A.J. Terrell, Falcons
  6. Tre’Davisius White, Bills
  7. Xavian Howard, Dolphins
  8. Darius Slay, Eagles
  9. Marlon Humphrey, Ravens
  10. Denzel Ward, Browns

Projected Steelers 53-Man Roster 1.0: Pre-Training Camp

by James Layton

With training camp starting in three weeks, I thought I would do a projected 53-Man Roster. I also included projected Practice Squad.

It was tough to make some of the cuts, but it just a part of the business.

There is a not so surprising trade included.

Let’s get into it.

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (3)

  • Mitch Trubisky
  • Kenny Pickett
  • Chris Oladokun

Running Backs (5)

  • Najee Harris
  • Mataeo Durant
  • Benny Snell
  • Anthony McFarland Jr
  • Derek Watt, FB

Wide Receivers (6)

  • Diontae Johnson
  • Chase Claypool
  • George Pickens
  • Calvin Austin
  • Gunner Olszewski
  • Steven Sims

Tight Ends (3)

  • Pat Freiermuth
  • Zach Gentry
  • Connor Heyward

Offensive Line (8)

  • Dan Moore Jr, OT
  • Kevin Dotson, G
  • Mason Cole, C
  • James Daniels, G
  • Chucks Okorafor, OT
  • Kendrick Green, G
  • JC Hassenauer, C
  • Joe Haeg, OT

Defense (25)

Defensive Line (7)

  • Cam Heyward, DT
  • Larry Ogunjobi, DT
  • Tyson Alualu, DE
  • Chris Wormley, DE
  • Isaiah Loudermilk, DE
  • DeMarvin Leal, DE
  • Donovan Jeter, NT

Linebackers (8)

  • Alex Highsmith, OLB
  • Myles Jack, ILB
  • Devin Bush, ILB
  • TJ Watt, OLB
  • Derek Tuszka, OLB
  • Genard Avery, OLB
  • Buddy Johnson, ILB
  • Mark Robinson, ILB

Cornerbacks (5)

  • Levi Wallace
  • Cam Sutton
  • Ahkello Witherspoon
  • Tre Norwood
  • Arthur Maulet

Safeties (5)

  • Minkah Fitzpatrick
  • Terrell Edmunds
  • Damontae Kazee
  • Miles Killerbrew
  • Karl Joseph

Special Teams (3)

  • Chris Boswell, K
  • Christian Kuntz, LS
  • Pressley Harvin, P

Practice Squad (16)

  • Trey Edmunds, RB
  • Cody White, WR
  • Tyler Snead, WR
  • Kevin Rader, TE
  • John Leglue, G/T
  • Jordan Tucker, OT
  • Nate Gilliam, G
  • Henry Mondeaux, DE
  • Khalil Davis, DT
  • Tyree Johnson, OLB
  • Marcus Allen, ILB
  • Delontae Scott, OLB
  • Chris Steele, CB
  • Lindon Stephens, CB
  • Donovan Stiner, S
  • Cameron Nizialek, P

Mason Rudolph Trade

Steelers Receive

  • Conditional 2023 4th Round Pick that could become a 3rd Round Pick dependent on playing time.
  • 2024 6th Round Pick.

Falcons Receive

  • QB Mason Rudolph
  • 2024 6th Round Pick.

Top 10 Positional Rankings: Offense

by Barb Layton

This is my first positional rankings of the year. I do one before training camp starts. When the season begins, I will be doing one every week.

Some of the positions are not easy to determine who will be number one. Let us get a glimpse of what will be happening in the NFL this year.

Today we will just be doing the offense and tomorrow, I will rank the defense

Quarterbacks

  1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
  2. Josh Allen, Bills
  3. Justin Herbert, Chargers
  4. Josh Burrow, Bengals
  5. Tom Brady, Buccaneers
  6. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
  7. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
  8. Russell Wilson, Broncos
  9. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
  10. Kyler Murray, Cardinals

Running Backs

  1. Jonathan Taylor, Colts
  2. Nick Chubb, Browns
  3. Derrick Henry, Titans
  4. Christian McCaffrey, Panthers
  5. Dalvin Cook, Vikings
  6. Nagee Harris, Steelers
  7. Aaron Jones, Packers
  8. Austin Ekeler, Chargers
  9. Joe Mixon, Bengals
  10. Alvin Kamara, Saints

Wide Receivers

  1. Cooper Kupp, Rams
  2. Stefon Diggs, Bills
  3. Davante Adams, Raiders
  4. Deandre Hopkins, Cardinals
  5. Ja’marr Chase, Bengals
  6. Justin Jefferson, Vikings
  7. A.J. Brown, Eagles
  8. Deebo Samuel, 49ers
  9. Mike Evans, Buccaneers
  10. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins

Tight Ends

  1. Travis Kelce, Chiefs
  2. George Kittle, 49ers
  3. Mark Andrews, Ravens
  4. Kyle Pitts, Falcons
  5. Darren Waller, Raiders
  6. Dalton Schultz, Cowboys
  7. Dallas Goedert, Eagles
  8. T.J. Hockenson, Lions
  9. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers
  10. Hunter Henry, Patriots

Centers

  1. Corey Linsley, Chargers
  2. Frank Ragnow, Lions
  3. Creed Humphrey, Chiefs
  4. Ben Jones, Titans
  5. Jason Kelce, Eagles
  6. Ryan Jensen, Buccaneers
  7. David Andrews, Patriots
  8. Rodney Hudson, Cardinals
  9. Chase Roullier, Commanders
  10. Ryan Kelly, Colts

Guards

  1. Zach Martin, Cowboys
  2. Quenton Nelson, Colts
  3. Joel Bitonio, Browns
  4. Shaq Mason, Buccaneers
  5. Chris Lindstrom, Falcons
  6. Michael Onwenu, Patriots
  7. Wyatt Teller, Browns
  8. Brandon Scherff, Jaguars
  9. Joe Thuney, Chiefs
  10. Laken Tomlinson, Jets

Tackles

  1. Trent Williams, 49ers
  2. Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers
  3. David Bakhtiari, Packers
  4. Lane Johnson, Eagles
  5. Ryan Ramczyk, Saints
  6. Terron Armstead, Dolphins
  7. Tyron Smith, Cowboys
  8. Jack Conklin, Browns
  9. Rashawn Slater, Chargers
  10. Ronnie Stanley, Ravens

Pre-Training Camp 53 Man Roster

by Barb Layton

Very soon we will be enjoying another Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. So, before training camp gets under way, I thought I would give my 53 -man roster.

Like so many other people I believe that QB Mason Rudolph will be traded before the start of the season.

I really cannot wait to see how the new pieces on defense will take shape and how they will be used in the different sub packages.

I am also looking forward to seeing what the offense can become in the post Ben Roethlisberger years. We have a lot to be looking forward to. We have a top 10 RB in Najee Harris. The tight end room is coming together and our WRs are young but wanting to grow.

So, let’s get started:

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks

  • Mitchell Trubisky
  • Kenny Pickett
  • Chris Oladokun

Running Backs

  • Najee Harris
  • Mataeo Durant
  • Benny Snell
  • Derek Watt

Wide Receivers

  • Diontae Johnson
  • Chase Claypool
  • George Pickens
  • Calvin Austin, lll
  • Anthony Miller
  • Gunner Olsewski

Tight Ends

  • Pat Freiermuth
  • Zach Gentry
  • Connor Heyward

Offensive Line

  • James Daniel
  • Mason Cole
  • Kevin Dotson
  • Dan Moore
  • Chukwuma Okorafor
  • Kendrick Green
  • J.C. Hassenauer
  • Joe Haeg
  • John Leglue

Defense (25)

Defensive Line

  • Cam Heyward
  • Larry Ogunjobi
  • Tyson Alualu
  • DeMarvin Leal
  • Chris Wormley
  • Isaiahh Loudermilk
  • Montravius Adams

Linebackers

  • T.J. Watt
  • Alex Highsmith
  • Devin Bush
  • Myles Jack
  • Genard Avery
  • Buddy Johnson
  • Mark Robinson
  • Tuzar Skipper

Defensive Backs

  • Levi Wallace
  • Akhello Whitherspoon
  • Cam Sutton
  • Arthur Maulet
  • Tre Norwood
  • Minkah Fitzpatrick
  • Terrell Edmunds
  • Damontae Kazee
  • Miles Killebrew
  • Karl Joseph

Special Teams

  • K Chris Boswell
  • P Pressley Harvin, lll
  • LS Christian Kuntz

Practice Squad

  • Miles Boykin, WR
  • Cody White, WR
  • Jaylen Warren, RB
  • Anthony McFarland, RB
  • Chaz Green, T
  • Trent Scott, OL
  • Kevin Rader, TE
  • Justin Layne, CB
  • James Pierre, CB
  • Donovan Stiner, S
  • Marcus Allen, LB
  • Derrek Tuszka, OLB
  • Deiontae Scott, S
  • Carlos Davis, DT
  • Henry Mondeaux, DE
  • Donovan Jeter, NT

Steelers 2023 Free Agents

by James Layton

The Steelers have forty-two free agents whose contracts will expire following 2022 season. It’s a good thing that the Steelers will have a projected $79-$105M in cap space.

Some of the free agents are key players like Chris Boswell, Diontae Johnson, and Chris Wormley.

Looking at some of the free agents the steelers should get a few compensatory draft picks for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Let’s get into the free agents.

Unrestricted Free Agents (23)

  1. Terrell Edmunds, S
  2. Damontae Kazee, S
  3. Diontae Johnson, WR
  4. Anthony Miller, WR
  5. Devin Bush, LB
  6. Karl Joseph, S
  7. Chris Wormley, DE
  8. Trenton Scott, OT
  9. Tyson Alualu, DT
  10. Genard Avery, LB
  11. Myles Boykin, WR
  12. Joe Haeg, OT
  13. Robert Spillane, LB
  14. Mason Rudolph, QB
  15. Chris Boswell, K
  16. Benny Snell Jr, RB
  17. Zach Gentry, TE
  18. Derek Watt, FB
  19. Marcus Allen, S
  20. Chaz Green, OL
  21. Justin Layne, CB
  22. Trey Edmunds, RB
  23. Ulysees Gilbert, LB

Restricted Free Agents (8)

  1. Steven Sims, WR
  2. JC Hassenauer, C
  3. James Pierre, CB
  4. Henry Mondeaux, DE
  5. Derrek Tuszka, OLB
  6. Jace Sternberger, TE
  7. Tuzar Skipper, OLB
  8. Kevin Rader, TE

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (11)

  1. John Leglue, G
  2. Cody White, WR
  3. Lindon Stephens, CB
  4. Cameron Nizialek, P
  5. Khalil Davis, DT
  6. Daniel Archibong, DE
  7. Delontae Scott, OLB
  8. Christian Kuntz, LS
  9. Nathan Gilliam, G
  10. Donovan Stiner, CB
  11. Tyler Vaughns, WR

Steelers Latest Football Operations Changes

by James Layton

Steelers new General Manager Omar Khan has been busy building his staff the last few weeks.

They have made a few promotions and a new hire this week.

New Hire

Mark Sadowski, Director of Player Personnel

Promotions

  • Dan Rooney Jr, Player Personnel Director
  • Dan Colbert, Director of College Scouting
  • Dave Petett, Assistant Director of Pro Scouting
  • Phil Kreidler, Senior Scouting Assistant
  • Kelvin Fisher, Senior Scouting Assistant
  • Cole Marcoux, Director of Football Administration

Steelers 2022 Training Camp Schedule

by James Layton

The Steelers have announced Monday their training camp schedule.

The Steelers are back at Saint Vincent College for the first time since 2019.

Something really is interesting is that only twenty players on the roster have been to Saint Vincents for training camp.

Just like last season you will need to have a ticket to attend training camp. The tickets will be available June 27th at 10 a.m. EST for Season Ticket holders, the public will then be able to get them at 12 p.m. EST. The tickets will be available on Ticketmaster.

Here is the schedule:

  • July 26th: All Players Report
  • July 27th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public*
  • July 28th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public*
  • July 29th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public*
  • July 30th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public*
  • July 31st: No Practice
  • August 1st: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 2nd: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 3rd: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 4th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 5th: 7 p.m. EST Friday Night Lights at Latrobe Memorial Stadium
  • August 6th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 7th: No Practice
  • August 8th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 9th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 10th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 11th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 12th: Closed to the Public
  • August 13: Preseason Game vs Seahawks 7 pm
  • August 14th: No Practice
  • August 15: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 16th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 17th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 18th: 1:55 p.m. EST Open to the Public
  • August 19th: Break Camp

*Helmets only practices

Three Reasons the Steelers Should Upgrade Their Defensive Tackle Depth

by James Layton

The Steelers have had issues with their depth of the Defensive Tackle position the past few seasons. Which lead to the run defense suffer towards the end of the season. And players not getting the rest they need to stay healthy.

The Steelers have five Defensive Tackles on the roster at the moment with Cam Hayward, Montravius Adams, Carlos Davis, Khalil Davis, and UDFA Rookie Donovan Jetter.

  1. The Unproven Depth

Among the four defensive tackles behind Cam Heyward, they have a combined 10 starts out of 66 games in the league. Montravius Adams who they signed off of the Saints Practice Squad last season has the most playing time out of the group with a career 52 games with 10 starts.

Adams showed flashes last season of being a good player that you can trust to give the starter a rest, or if you need him to be the starter for a game.

2. The 17 Game Season

The uncertainty of Cam Hayward (33) being able to play a full 17 game season going forward at his age. He’s still a beast, but that can take a toll towards the end of the season. Last season he played a 1,064 snaps.

3. The Amount of Quality Free Agents still on the Market

Adding a player like Eddie Goldman or Larry Ogunjobi could go a long way this season. If they happen to get the injury bug, making a move now would have a big impact in helping to improve stopping the run and adding much needed depth.

Steelers Rookie Minicamp Tryout Players

By James Layton

Here are the players the Steelers are bringing in for a tryout during the Rookie Minicamp. The Steelers have found a few gems in the tryout players of the past few seasons like Terrence Garvin (LB), Tuzar Skipper (LB), and most recently QB Devlin “Duck” Hodges.

This year they’re hosting the sons of former Steelers Duce Staley and Hall of Fame Linebacker Kevin Greene.

Let’s get into the players:

  • Divine Buckrham, DB Lamar
  • Leandro Debrito, DB Duquesne
  • Cory McCoy, DB Marshall
  • Tyrell Ford, DB Waterloo
  • Tavin Harville, DB Robert Morris
  • Xavier Williams, DB Iowa
  • Jahad Woods, LB Washington State
  • Bailey Flint, P Toledo
  • Nicholas Sciba, K Wake Forest
  • Carlins Platel, DB South Carolina
  • Chase Pine, LB Pittsburgh
  • Tyler Snead, WR East Carolina
  • Charles Williams Jr, RB UNLV
  • Tre Tipton, WR Pittsburgh
  • Bruce Swilling, RB Georgia Tech
  • Gavin Greene, LB Mississippi College
  • Damani Staley, LB South Carolina
  • Billy Taylor, LS Rutgers
  • Xavier Gaines, TE Marshall
  • Paul Barr, OT Maine
  • William Fornadel, G James Madison
  • Tyler Dressler, LB Richmond
  • Michael Maietti, C Missouri
  • Vincent McConnell, G Cincinnati
  • Jack Badovinac, G Illinois
  • Corey Dublin, C Tulane
  • Ike Onwuasoanya, DE Colorado State-Pueblo
  • Trevon Mason, DE Arizona

NFL Transaction Report for Saturday 5/15

By James Layton

Dolphins

  • Signed OL Cole Banwart
  • Waived OL Ty Clary (Failed Physical)

Giants

  • Signed 1st Round DE Kayvon Thibodeaux
  • Signed 1st Round OT Evan Neal
  • Signed UDFA DE Ryder Anderson
  • Signed UDFA DB Jordan Mosley

Panthers

  • Waived DB Drew Hartlaub

Steelers

  • Signed 6th Round TE Connor Heyward
  • Signed 7th Round LB Mark Robinson
  • Signed 7th Round QB Chris Oladokun